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Kenya

© Shutterstock/Thammanoon Khamchalee

Explore Kenya

Kenya's underwater world is as mesmerizing as its famed savannahs. Diving along the country's coast offers a unique experience, revealing vibrant coral reefs, dramatic walls, and historic shipwrecks. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean provide excellent conditions for both novice and experienced divers, with visibility often exceeding 30 meters/98 feet. Popular dive spots include Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park and Watamu Marine Park, where divers can explore the rich biodiversity of the reefs and encounter species like sea turtles, reef sharks, and an astonishing variety of colorful fish.

Liveaboard trips and boat dives are common, allowing divers to explore more remote sites, while shore dives offer easy access to beautiful underwater landscapes. Seasonal changes bring diverse marine life, such as the migration of whale sharks, making each dive a unique adventure. Kenya's diving scene is not just about the marine ecosystem; it also includes a blend of cultural encounters with coastal communities, adding depth to the overall experience. Whether you're drifting along coral gardens or exploring a sunken wreck, diving in Kenya provides an unforgettable journey into the heart of the ocean.

Power Plug Type
G
Payment Method
VISA, MC, AMEX
Tipping
5–10% / Service Staff & Guides / Tipping is expected in restaurants, hotels, and tours; amount may vary based on service quality
Airports
NBO, MBA
Currency
KES
Dial Code
+254
Electricity
240 V / 50 Hz
Time
UTC+3

Places to explore

Courses and Events

Dive Centers

Dive Sites

Top Wildlife Sightings in Kenya

Kenya's marine ecosystems, particularly along the Indian Ocean coastline, are rich with diverse marine life. Common reef fish such as parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish populate the vibrant coral reefs, offering divers a colorful underwater spectacle year-round. These species are abundant and can be seen in popular diving spots like Watamu and Malindi Marine Parks.

Seasonal highlights include the migration of whale sharks, primarily sighted from November to March. Green and hawksbill turtles are also commonly encountered, especially around designated conservation areas like the Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve. Additionally, manta rays and various types of reef sharks can be seen at certain times of the year, enhancing the diving experience. Being aware of these seasonal patterns increases the likelihood of encountering these majestic creatures.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Green Turtle

662 Sightings
J
78
F
67
M
113
A
47
M
2
J
4
J
21
A
41
S
49
O
56
N
75
D
109

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Moray Eel

416 Sightings
J
52
F
45
M
103
A
21
M
2
J
4
J
7
A
12
S
22
O
33
N
58
D
57

Hawksbill Turtle

381 Sightings
J
45
F
35
M
61
A
31
M
2
J
12
J
11
A
8
S
25
O
28
N
52
D
71

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Octopus

207 Sightings
J
23
F
23
M
53
A
11
M
0
J
1
J
4
A
4
S
19
O
16
N
30
D
23

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

Barracuda

70 Sightings
J
13
F
16
M
15
A
4
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
5
O
0
N
5
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

Wrasse

63 Sightings
J
14
F
16
M
20
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
6
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

Lionfish

370 Sightings
J
47
F
51
M
87
A
21
M
3
J
5
J
5
A
11
S
11
O
30
N
41
D
58

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Clownfish

357 Sightings
J
49
F
47
M
99
A
16
M
1
J
3
J
8
A
18
S
23
O
28
N
34
D
31

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Angelfish

306 Sightings
J
57
F
56
M
76
A
14
M
1
J
3
J
5
A
12
S
12
O
20
N
19
D
31

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Trumpetfish

284 Sightings
J
40
F
47
M
67
A
9
M
0
J
1
J
3
A
10
S
13
O
17
N
33
D
44

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Butterfly Fish

282 Sightings
J
52
F
42
M
61
A
13
M
2
J
2
J
3
A
14
S
10
O
23
N
30
D
30

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

Parrotfish

255 Sightings
J
38
F
44
M
75
A
8
M
1
J
3
J
2
A
5
S
11
O
18
N
21
D
29

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Bannerfish

234 Sightings
J
29
F
46
M
66
A
8
M
0
J
0
J
3
A
10
S
16
O
21
N
15
D
20

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

216 Sightings
J
33
F
38
M
57
A
10
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
10
S
6
O
12
N
9
D
38

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

Surgeonfish

215 Sightings
J
34
F
20
M
43
A
14
M
1
J
0
J
4
A
13
S
10
O
23
N
23
D
30

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pufferfish

208 Sightings
J
33
F
28
M
43
A
17
M
3
J
1
J
6
A
8
S
14
O
11
N
20
D
24

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

Stingrays

197 Sightings
J
35
F
15
M
40
A
8
M
0
J
4
J
6
A
7
S
14
O
11
N
11
D
46

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Scorpionfish

186 Sightings
J
27
F
33
M
40
A
11
M
0
J
5
J
6
A
15
S
13
O
10
N
14
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

Boxfish

178 Sightings
J
28
F
24
M
43
A
7
M
2
J
0
J
3
A
4
S
8
O
10
N
35
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Goatfish

162 Sightings
J
28
F
30
M
40
A
3
M
1
J
0
J
4
A
5
S
5
O
14
N
13
D
19

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Triggerfish

161 Sightings
J
23
F
20
M
47
A
4
M
1
J
1
J
2
A
9
S
6
O
18
N
10
D
20

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3000

Nudibranch

155 Sightings
J
20
F
25
M
55
A
8
M
2
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
10
O
14
N
7
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Soldierfish

152 Sightings
J
33
F
25
M
37
A
1
M
1
J
2
J
1
A
11
S
8
O
5
N
16
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

Snapper

119 Sightings
J
17
F
34
M
36
A
5
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
3
S
3
O
7
N
4
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shrimp

94 Sightings
J
13
F
12
M
36
A
4
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
5
S
1
O
8
N
5
D
7

Leaf Scorpionfish

83 Sightings
J
13
F
21
M
11
A
2
M
0
J
1
J
1
A
6
S
4
O
4
N
10
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Grouper/Basslets

77 Sightings
J
19
F
10
M
23
A
2
M
0
J
2
J
1
A
2
S
6
O
4
N
2
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Damselfish

73 Sightings
J
7
F
17
M
38
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
1
O
4
N
2
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Snake Eel

64 Sightings
J
16
F
4
M
13
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
2
A
1
S
1
O
4
N
5
D
17

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Spiny Lobster

60 Sightings
J
3
F
1
M
10
A
6
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
3
O
6
N
20
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Squirrelfish

57 Sightings
J
15
F
8
M
12
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
3
O
4
N
7
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Jackfish

57 Sightings
J
16
F
11
M
9
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
4
O
3
N
5
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 20

Porcupinefish

53 Sightings
J
11
F
10
M
13
A
5
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
5
O
3
N
5
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Stonefish

50 Sightings
J
11
F
3
M
12
A
3
M
1
J
1
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
5
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Sand Eel

44 Sightings
J
8
F
5
M
20
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
2
N
5
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Garfish

44 Sightings
J
12
F
7
M
19
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
3
O
2
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7000

Crab

41 Sightings
J
10
F
8
M
17
A
1
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
3
D
0